One of the planned changes with S9 is the removal of Mk X and Mk XI equipment. I think this change might be in anticipation of introducing Mk XIII and XIV equipment with the level cap raise. I think both of these are a bad idea.
Removing Mk X and Mk XI Gear from Reputation
Don't Do This:
Removing Mk X and Mk XI equipment is a good idea in theory as it removes "useless" gear for toons who skip it and makes players pay more in dilithium for their equipment.
The thing that wasn't considered was the reputation systems #1 problem: it's not alt-friendly. I do not see myself plunking down 100k dilithium for my alts to get Mk XII gear as I'm a pretty casual player and I don't have time to log on every 4 hours throughout the work day for an hour to grind contraband and turn-ins on an army of alts.
Do This Instead:
Upgrade Mk X and Mk XI gear to Rare Mk XII. The best example of this is in New Romulus reputation, this is implemented for the Reman Advanced Prototype Space Set.
This is priced at about half the cost of the Very Rare Mk XII set. That makes it accessible to alts and there's enough of a difference in cost that you might want to step down a bit but it's still Mk XII so it was worth the grind and is actually decent equipment.
Adding Mk XIII and Mk XIV Equipment
Don't Do This:
Adding Mk XIII and Mk XIV equipment might be good for players who grind a lot (i.e. have a lot of time on their hands) or who already have extreme amounts of gear.
This was exceptionally painful during the first level cap raise from RA 5 to VA when Mk XI and Mk XII equipment made Mk IX and Mk X equipment useless overnight, but now it's a big game-changer because of the exceptionally high marks and dilithium cost to acquire Mk XII gear from the reputation and fleet systems.
Some people are just now catching up (or worse, have yet to catch up) and you threaten those people with giving up entirely.
Do This Instead:
Scale horizontally, not vertically. I wouldn't mind seeing new equipment and costumes made available with the Level Cap raise, even in the existing reputations.
For example, the Nukara Ground Sets are exceptionally sub-par. The Romulan reputation doesn't even have a ground set.
There's opportunities to even create "native" reputations the way EVE does, i.e. Federation Reputation for Starfleet and allies, or KDF Reputation for KDF and allies that introduce new equipment on par with the new levels. For example, an "Elite Dahar Master" ground set that introduces the B'Vat coat and some cool looking armor would be welcome.
Continue adding new reputations and players can pick and choose which reputations to grind. For example, my 3 main toons keep current on new reputations. My alts will not be grinding any further reputations.
Delta Rising is the best expansion ever and the players love it! No, seriously! ...Why are you laughing so hard?
One of the planned changes with S9 is the removal of Mk X and Mk XI equipment. I think this change might be in anticipation of introducing Mk XIII and XIV equipment with the level cap raise. I think both of these are a bad idea.
First, you have yet to demonstrate that there is going to be a level cap raise.
Second, almost nobody ever goes for the Mk X and XI gear anymore because they're garbage, and therefore maintaining their availability is a waste of server resources.
"Great War! / And I cannot take more! / Great tour! / I keep on marching on / I play the great score / There will be no encore / Great War! / The War to End All Wars"
— Sabaton, "Great War"
One of the planned changes with S9 is the removal of Mk X and Mk XI equipment. I think this change might be in anticipation of introducing Mk XIII and XIV equipment with the level cap raise. I think both of these are a bad idea.
Stopped reading when it became obvious Chicken Little has TRIBBLE the OP's account.
Second, almost nobody ever goes for the Mk X and XI gear anymore because they're garbage, and therefore maintaining their availability is a waste of server resources.
Going with the general theme of the post, it actually saves new players from making the mistake in wasting hard earned Dil on garbage equipment.
The thing that wasn't considered was the reputation systems #1 problem: it's not alt-friendly.
For casuals it's very unrealistic expectations to have fully geared alts. Concentrate on your main and possibly an alt as a backup if you team up with Fleet mates. The rest of the alts are probably farmers or fun-only alts.
Just to clarify, will they be making Mk XIV versions of all existing sets? In particular I would want to know what will happen to my Mk XII Jem'Hadar space set? Will it be upgraded to Mk XIV for free, or will it become obsolete? I paid 200 lobi for this, it would tick me off if it ends up becoming second-rate.
Just to clarify, will they be making Mk XIV versions of all existing sets? In particular I would want to know what will happen to my Mk XII Jem'Hadar space set? Will it be upgraded to Mk XIV for free, or will it become obsolete? I paid 200 lobi for this, it would tick me off if it ends up becoming second-rate.
They have never stated they are making Mk XIV sets, nor have they stated they are doing a Level Cap increase with the new Expansion Pack. It is all speculation at this point.
STO is about my Liberated Borg Federation Captain with his Breen 1st Officer, Jem'Hadar Tactical Officer, Liberated Borg Engineering Officer, Android Ops Officer, Photonic Science Officer, Gorn Science Officer, and Reman Medical Officer jumping into their Jem'Hadar Carrier and flying off to do missions for the new Romulan Empire. But for some players allowing a T5 Connie to be used breaks the canon in the game.
Because: By the time you reach T1, theres a good chance you are beyond mk XI.
Yeah, Anazonda nailed it.
STO is about my Liberated Borg Federation Captain with his Breen 1st Officer, Jem'Hadar Tactical Officer, Liberated Borg Engineering Officer, Android Ops Officer, Photonic Science Officer, Gorn Science Officer, and Reman Medical Officer jumping into their Jem'Hadar Carrier and flying off to do missions for the new Romulan Empire. But for some players allowing a T5 Connie to be used breaks the canon in the game.
If this is purely for the rep system. Good. It is worthless having the slightly better versions as you go along. The newer ones, where the Mk XII set is broken across the tiers is a far better system, and saves on having the endless lists of slightly different versions. The rep system is for max level players, having Mk X and Mk XI gear knocking about by that point is pointless and is only likely to confuse players, letting them spend quite large amounts on the sub-par stuff, rather than allowing them to save for the good stuff.
Everything the dev's has said on a level increase has seemed to imply it would be a horizontal move. Introducing buddy ships or something, rather than making everything they've added to the game redundant over night.
What I don't understand is why they are removing Mk X gear from a sub-50 reputation such as Omega.
Huh? The Rep systems as currently implemented do not unlock until Level 50. (That includes Omega Rep.) That said, if you had a character pre-Rep system introduction that had gained some of the Omega gear, they didn't remove that gear, but left it 'gradfathered in'. Yes, you can earn Omega (and other Reputation currency) pre-50, but you can't start spending that currency until you hit 50.
Formerly known as Armsman from June 2008 to June 20, 2012 PWE ARC Drone says: "Your STO forum community as you have known it is ended...Display names are irrelevant...Any further sense of community is irrelevant...Resistance is futile...You will be assimilated..."
One way to protest these changes would be to bank all reputation gear. To literally set one's self free from sets, but setting aside those sets.
I believe there was a topic about just such a passive resistance movement here awhile ago.
Take back the power! Power to the players!
The problem is that some players don't believe that they can survive without their high-mark fleet/rep gear. Also what would be fun about not being able to wipe out a cube in just a few seconds with hardly a wink in their shields.
It would be terrible to have a challenge again and have to truly fight and... *gasp* ...act as a TEAM to take of a foe.
No, we need to get rid of ALL low Mark gear, not only in the Rep stores but on the Exchange as well. It just takes up valuable space in the databases.
Seriously though, the price difference between most rep gear Mk X and Mk XII is double for what? 10 to 15% more Shield strength? (I tried to find the numbers but http://sto.gamepedia.com/ information is lacking any comparison.) The difference cannot be double regardless.
What do we need more powerful gear and weapons for? All the PvE's are much weaker than they should be - one ship should not be able to take out a Borg Cube alone. Do you really just want to speed through the content and not really enjoy the challenge of the fight? If yes, then YOU are grinding, not playing.
Cryptic is more about having less choices as time goes on; I believe that we should have the right to choose if we want lower-mark equipment.
Star Trek Battles Channel - Play Star Trek like they did in the series!Avatar: pinterest-com/pin/14003448816884219Are you sure it isn't time for a "colorful metaphor"? --Spock in 'The Voyage Home' SCE ADVISORY NOTICE: Improper Impulse Engine maintenance can result in REAR THRUSTER LEAKAGE. ALWAYS have your work inspected by another qualified officer.
Second, almost nobody ever goes for the Mk X and XI gear anymore because they're garbage, and therefore maintaining their availability is a waste of server resources.
I like my Mk11 gear, since it usually comes pretty close for half the cost. Ground I don't care much for but when it is necessary (story missions, Voth Battlezone), its nice having a good set without having to splurge on the top-end stuff that won't make a difference for me. When doing the deflector-engine 2-piece plus an Elite Fleet Shield setup, can you tell the difference between +1.8% accuracy vs +2% on the deflector, or any difference at all on the engine? I can't, but I like having an extra 30k dil in my pocket. Fleet consoles, my neutroniums are only +20 resist instead of +21.2, but save 25k fleet credits each (I know some people have lots of FC, but I run a lot of alts so I don't). Shields and weapons sure go all out, but the smaller things where you'd never notice a difference its just flushing money on a status symbol. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if that were at least part of the reason why they're being removed, to get cheapskates like me to spend more and somewhat dial back a too-generous F2P model.
For casuals it's very unrealistic expectations to have fully geared alts. Concentrate on your main and possibly an alt as a backup if you team up with Fleet mates. The rest of the alts are probably farmers or fun-only alts.
I'd cover up if I were you, before you take the business end of a pitchfork right to the throat. It seems those who point out the fact that self-described "casual players" flat-out can't have everything they want NAO, often wind up burned at the stake or immolated in other ways.
The reputation system does not have to be "alt-friendly" since it wasn't primarily designed to be. Sponsorship was a bone thrown but it's like putting a band-aid on a sucking chest wound (i.e. not nearly enough and completely nonsensical if the desire was to make it alt-friendly). I wouldn't care much about removing Mk X gear but Mk XI seems like the gateway or stopgap. Sure it doesn't make much sense to get it when you have so much available to you later on. But those last two words are important: later on. Besides, I think there should always be choices available to players, good and bad. I think people should be given the opportunity to sign up for a subprime mortgage....err, I mean, buy Mk X & XI gear at an insignificant discount from and significant premium (over time) of Mk XII. Let people make poor decisions and (hopefully) learn from them.
I don't think anyone is adding Mk XIII or higher gear, and who the hell uses Mk X-XI gear anyway? I'll be glad to see it go, that way I don't slot something I don't want.
First, you have yet to demonstrate that there is going to be a level cap raise.
Second, almost nobody ever goes for the Mk X and XI gear anymore because they're garbage, and therefore maintaining their availability is a waste of server resources.
i get mkx and mkxi for my boffs as i refuse to wast the resources to get them into mkxii
actually looking at my main ship i am still rocking the mkxi borg set from pre-reputation (the one you could get for a total of 15 EDCs or about 10 normal runs) and the mkxii maco shield after rep was implemented
that's kinda half the story there. the old gear is also being updated. meaning jepdar etc will be closer to rep grinned gear. eg if someone has mission gear and retro phasers there still gonna be useful in a elite stv. this is more rebalncing the free stuff a good thing. also with the ground gear chnages if you like your gear how it is you can keep it.
and lets face it we all had the bad pug of new players in free gear totaly fail the elite becouse they can't keep up. and where not thought how to beat the stf with low dps ships. welcome change in my book. free gear will be better.
i get mkx and mkxi for my boffs as i refuse to wast the resources to get them into mkxii
actually looking at my main ship i am still rocking the mkxi borg set from pre-reputation (the one you could get for a total of 15 EDCs or about 10 normal runs) and the mkxii maco shield after rep was implemented
That's your choice. But as MMOs grow and change gear obsolescence is certainly nothing new; and there's no reason to hamstring STO's expansion because you don't feel like having to replace lesser level gear as the game expands.
Formerly known as Armsman from June 2008 to June 20, 2012 PWE ARC Drone says: "Your STO forum community as you have known it is ended...Display names are irrelevant...Any further sense of community is irrelevant...Resistance is futile...You will be assimilated..."
That's your choice. But as MMOs grow and change gear obsolescence is certainly nothing new; and there's no reason to hamstring STO's expansion because you don't feel like having to replace lesser level gear as the game expands.
the lesser gear is being brought up2date i guess he missed that. so nothing is being taken away hear your getting a upgrade.
First, you have yet to demonstrate that there is going to be a level cap raise.
Second, almost nobody ever goes for the Mk X and XI gear anymore because they're garbage, and therefore maintaining their availability is a waste of server resources.
I use almost exclusively MK X (Omega-Gear) on normal twinks, since its a waste of ressources to spend it on MK XII when you char wont combat Elite STFs ground often.
Now I would have to spend far more... which I wont
I use almost exclusively MK X (Omega-Gear) on normal twinks, since its a waste of ressources to spend it on MK XII when you char wont combat Elite STFs ground often.
Now I would have to spend far more... which I wont
expect your x will now be xii for free. kinda like when they changed the old grinned borg set to x. also one of the things there doing for rep grinds is reducing the cost and time it takes. they knew dyson was a hit but on the fast side. there aiming for a middle ground faster then old but not as fast as dyson.
There is no reason for any type of gear other than mk XII to exist.Everyone goes with dili and buys the best gear from fleet stores.No thought process is needed.The most complex game ever.
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Second, almost nobody ever goes for the Mk X and XI gear anymore because they're garbage, and therefore maintaining their availability is a waste of server resources.
— Sabaton, "Great War"
Check out https://unitedfederationofpla.net/s/
Stopped reading when it became obvious Chicken Little has TRIBBLE the OP's account.
I believe there was a topic about just such a passive resistance movement here awhile ago.
Take back the power! Power to the players!
Such a movement is clearly empowering.
However, it does seem to make the memory a little fuzzy........:D
Going with the general theme of the post, it actually saves new players from making the mistake in wasting hard earned Dil on garbage equipment.
For casuals it's very unrealistic expectations to have fully geared alts. Concentrate on your main and possibly an alt as a backup if you team up with Fleet mates. The rest of the alts are probably farmers or fun-only alts.
Just add a Reshearch project at Memory alpha, that allows us to upgrade existing gear...
Because: By the time you reach T1, theres a good chance you are beyond mk XI.
Everything the dev's has said on a level increase has seemed to imply it would be a horizontal move. Introducing buddy ships or something, rather than making everything they've added to the game redundant over night.
Huh? The Rep systems as currently implemented do not unlock until Level 50. (That includes Omega Rep.) That said, if you had a character pre-Rep system introduction that had gained some of the Omega gear, they didn't remove that gear, but left it 'gradfathered in'. Yes, you can earn Omega (and other Reputation currency) pre-50, but you can't start spending that currency until you hit 50.
PWE ARC Drone says: "Your STO forum community as you have known it is ended...Display names are irrelevant...Any further sense of community is irrelevant...Resistance is futile...You will be assimilated..."
The problem is that some players don't believe that they can survive without their high-mark fleet/rep gear. Also what would be fun about not being able to wipe out a cube in just a few seconds with hardly a wink in their shields.
It would be terrible to have a challenge again and have to truly fight and... *gasp* ...act as a TEAM to take of a foe.
No, we need to get rid of ALL low Mark gear, not only in the Rep stores but on the Exchange as well. It just takes up valuable space in the databases.
Seriously though, the price difference between most rep gear Mk X and Mk XII is double for what? 10 to 15% more Shield strength? (I tried to find the numbers but http://sto.gamepedia.com/ information is lacking any comparison.) The difference cannot be double regardless.
What do we need more powerful gear and weapons for? All the PvE's are much weaker than they should be - one ship should not be able to take out a Borg Cube alone. Do you really just want to speed through the content and not really enjoy the challenge of the fight? If yes, then YOU are grinding, not playing.
Cryptic is more about having less choices as time goes on; I believe that we should have the right to choose if we want lower-mark equipment.
SCE ADVISORY NOTICE: Improper Impulse Engine maintenance can result in REAR THRUSTER LEAKAGE. ALWAYS have your work inspected by another qualified officer.
I like my Mk11 gear, since it usually comes pretty close for half the cost. Ground I don't care much for but when it is necessary (story missions, Voth Battlezone), its nice having a good set without having to splurge on the top-end stuff that won't make a difference for me. When doing the deflector-engine 2-piece plus an Elite Fleet Shield setup, can you tell the difference between +1.8% accuracy vs +2% on the deflector, or any difference at all on the engine? I can't, but I like having an extra 30k dil in my pocket. Fleet consoles, my neutroniums are only +20 resist instead of +21.2, but save 25k fleet credits each (I know some people have lots of FC, but I run a lot of alts so I don't). Shields and weapons sure go all out, but the smaller things where you'd never notice a difference its just flushing money on a status symbol. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if that were at least part of the reason why they're being removed, to get cheapskates like me to spend more and somewhat dial back a too-generous F2P model.
I'd cover up if I were you, before you take the business end of a pitchfork right to the throat. It seems those who point out the fact that self-described "casual players" flat-out can't have everything they want NAO, often wind up burned at the stake or immolated in other ways.
The reputation system does not have to be "alt-friendly" since it wasn't primarily designed to be. Sponsorship was a bone thrown but it's like putting a band-aid on a sucking chest wound (i.e. not nearly enough and completely nonsensical if the desire was to make it alt-friendly). I wouldn't care much about removing Mk X gear but Mk XI seems like the gateway or stopgap. Sure it doesn't make much sense to get it when you have so much available to you later on. But those last two words are important: later on. Besides, I think there should always be choices available to players, good and bad. I think people should be given the opportunity to sign up for a subprime mortgage....err, I mean, buy Mk X & XI gear at an insignificant discount from and significant premium (over time) of Mk XII. Let people make poor decisions and (hopefully) learn from them.
i get mkx and mkxi for my boffs as i refuse to wast the resources to get them into mkxii
actually looking at my main ship i am still rocking the mkxi borg set from pre-reputation (the one you could get for a total of 15 EDCs or about 10 normal runs) and the mkxii maco shield after rep was implemented
and lets face it we all had the bad pug of new players in free gear totaly fail the elite becouse they can't keep up. and where not thought how to beat the stf with low dps ships. welcome change in my book. free gear will be better.
Strange, the last time I checked you needed to be level 50 to unlock the actual reputation.....
G'Kar & Londo http://www.arcgames.com/en/forums#/discussion/1182185/gkar-londo-re-united-pics-babylon-5/p1
Babylon 5 Races: http://www.arcgames.com/en/forums#/discussion/1151376/babylon-5-crew-characters-pics-compare/p1
Vorta: http://www.arcgames.com/en/forums#/discussion/1141164/this-is-how-you-make-a-vorta
That's your choice. But as MMOs grow and change gear obsolescence is certainly nothing new; and there's no reason to hamstring STO's expansion because you don't feel like having to replace lesser level gear as the game expands.
PWE ARC Drone says: "Your STO forum community as you have known it is ended...Display names are irrelevant...Any further sense of community is irrelevant...Resistance is futile...You will be assimilated..."
the lesser gear is being brought up2date i guess he missed that. so nothing is being taken away hear your getting a upgrade.
I use almost exclusively MK X (Omega-Gear) on normal twinks, since its a waste of ressources to spend it on MK XII when you char wont combat Elite STFs ground often.
Now I would have to spend far more... which I wont
What lesser gear is being brought up to date?
expect your x will now be xii for free. kinda like when they changed the old grinned borg set to x. also one of the things there doing for rep grinds is reducing the cost and time it takes. they knew dyson was a hit but on the fast side. there aiming for a middle ground faster then old but not as fast as dyson.
Where have they stated this? In a dev blog or something? Links? Anyone?
But the rep system unlocks at level 50.